Craggs, Stampede begin playoffs vs. Laredo

Goal keeper Lex Craggs makes a diving save in a drill during Belleview United soccer practice at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013.

Bruce Ackerman/Staff photographer

By John PattonCorrespondent

Published: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 5:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 5:53 p.m.

Beginning around Aug. 6, the next four school years are going to see Lex Craggs in Miami at Florida International University.

Facts

Ocala Stampede (11-3) vs. Laredo Heat (8-2-4)

WHAT: Southern Conference semifinal playoff game between Southeast Division champs (Stampede) and the Mid South runner-up.WHEN: 6 p.m. FridayWHERE: House Park in Austin, Tx.ON THE WEB: Live video at www.uslnation.comWHAT'S NEXT: The winner will face the winner of tonight's second game between Mid South champ Austin (11-2-1) and Southeast runner-up Panama City Beach (10-3-1) in Saturday's 8:30 p.m. Southern Conference final.NOTABLE: Laredo has not lost since June 8, going 6-0-3 in that span to earn its way into the playoffs. Ocala, meanwhile, is 8-1 since June 14. ... Jack Bailey (eight goals), Kenny Hogg (eight) and Kyle Breitmeyer (six goals, six assists) lead the Stampede offense, while Daniel Garza (seven goals) leads Laredo.

And while that serve as a temporary residence for Craggs, there is no doubt where the former Forest High and current Ocala Stampede goalkeeper calls home.

"Ocala means so much to me," Craggs said after posting a 2-1 victory in the Stampede's regular-season finale against VSI Tampa Bay. "I had a little bit of pressure to actually go (play) somewhere else this summer, but it wasn't a pressure I was really worried about because I knew this is where I belonged."

And now, as part of a three-goalie rotation (along with Alex Bolowich and Scott Sotarik), Craggs and the Stampede (11-3) enter the United Soccer League playoffs as the Southeast Division champion for the second time in the franchise's two years of existence. Up first is a matchup against Mid South Division runner-up Laredo (8-2-4) on tonight at 6, and a victory there would earn a game the next night against the winner of the second semifinal between Southeast Division runner-up Panama City Beach (10-3-1) and host Mid South champ Austin (11-1-2), which is also hosting the playoffs.

A strong offensive team, Ocala's 40 goals in the regular season tied it with Ottawa and Ocean City for the top mark in the 64-team USL. The Stampede also allowed just 16 goals this season, giving them a lot of confidence heading into the postseason.

"We want to win it, we want to go the whole way," said forward Jack Bailey, who scored the game-winner in the 88th minute against VSI Tampa Bay. "We're looking at getting it game by game, but our main goal is to go and win the whole thing. We think we are good enough — we're definitely good enough to win both games in Texas and go to the final four and go and win the whole (league). That's our main goal, to go and win the whole thing, so there's no reason why we shouldn't."

For Craggs, one of the few returners from the inaugural 2012 squad, this weekend potentially has a second incentive.

"What's exciting about this is that we lost to Austin (in the first round at home) last year," said Craggs, who has 20 saves and a 1.66 goals against average in three starts this summer. "And now, we're going to Austin. We get to travel there and do something we failed to do last year."

He also said he hopes this is just a continuation of what will become a tradition of success for the Stampede.

"I'm dedicated to this club, and I hope to come back for many years to come," Craggs said. "I had connections I made who talked to me and said maybe I should go to a bigger organization, but we've established ourselves as a big organization at this point. I firmly believe this is run better than any other organization in the nation and that's all parts — the players, the owners, the staff — and I'm confident.

"I'm not wanting to leave. We're getting results. We get in the playoffs every year and we compete for a championship every year. That's all you can ask for."

<p>Beginning around Aug. 6, the next four school years are going to see Lex Craggs in Miami at Florida International University.</p><p>And while that serve as a temporary residence for Craggs, there is no doubt where the former Forest High and current Ocala Stampede goalkeeper calls home.</p><p>"Ocala means so much to me," Craggs said after posting a 2-1 victory in the Stampede's regular-season finale against VSI Tampa Bay. "I had a little bit of pressure to actually go (play) somewhere else this summer, but it wasn't a pressure I was really worried about because I knew this is where I belonged."</p><p>And now, as part of a three-goalie rotation (along with Alex Bolowich and Scott Sotarik), Craggs and the Stampede (11-3) enter the United Soccer League playoffs as the Southeast Division champion for the second time in the franchise's two years of existence. Up first is a matchup against Mid South Division runner-up Laredo (8-2-4) on tonight at 6, and a victory there would earn a game the next night against the winner of the second semifinal between Southeast Division runner-up Panama City Beach (10-3-1) and host Mid South champ Austin (11-1-2), which is also hosting the playoffs.</p><p>A strong offensive team, Ocala's 40 goals in the regular season tied it with Ottawa and Ocean City for the top mark in the 64-team USL. The Stampede also allowed just 16 goals this season, giving them a lot of confidence heading into the postseason.</p><p>"We want to win it, we want to go the whole way," said forward Jack Bailey, who scored the game-winner in the 88th minute against VSI Tampa Bay. "We're looking at getting it game by game, but our main goal is to go and win the whole thing. We think we are good enough — we're definitely good enough to win both games in Texas and go to the final four and go and win the whole (league). That's our main goal, to go and win the whole thing, so there's no reason why we shouldn't."</p><p>For Craggs, one of the few returners from the inaugural 2012 squad, this weekend potentially has a second incentive.</p><p>"What's exciting about this is that we lost to Austin (in the first round at home) last year," said Craggs, who has 20 saves and a 1.66 goals against average in three starts this summer. "And now, we're going to Austin. We get to travel there and do something we failed to do last year."</p><p>He also said he hopes this is just a continuation of what will become a tradition of success for the Stampede.</p><p>"I'm dedicated to this club, and I hope to come back for many years to come," Craggs said. "I had connections I made who talked to me and said maybe I should go to a bigger organization, but we've established ourselves as a big organization at this point. I firmly believe this is run better than any other organization in the nation and that's all parts — the players, the owners, the staff — and I'm confident.</p><p>"I'm not wanting to leave. We're getting results. We get in the playoffs every year and we compete for a championship every year. That's all you can ask for."</p>